Chrysler Voided My Engine Warranty for Using their Mopar Cold Air Intake.
11-13-2013, 07:58 AM
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Chrysler Voided My Engine Warranty for Using their Mopar Cold Air Intake.
Long post but I thought it best to inform everyone of what I'm dealing with currently as result of using the Mopar Cold Air Intake that was installed by an authorized Jeep dealer. I'm hoping anyone thinking of buying this intake will take a hard look before making their decision. My check engine light came and went into limp mode on 9–21 with 19,520 miles. I made an appointment and took it to Jeep Chrysler Dodge of Ontario on 9-26. The dealer stated the jeep was 3.5 quarts low on oil. This was a surprise as I checked it a few weeks before on 8-31 for JKX and it was good. This was also about 4700 miles since the last oil change. The dealer changed the oil and cleared the code.
On 10-18 I went on a trip on the Mojave Trail. On the second day the engine light came on again and went into limp mode. The mileage was at 20,305 miles. We checked the oil and had to add 3-1/2 quarts. I cleared the code to get it out of limp mode and it was good for the rest of the trip. This was a big surprise as it was only about 700 miles since the previous oil change by the dealer. I made an appointment and took it back in on 11-4 and told them the problem. I received a call later that day and was told the throttle body was very dirty and the engine ingested dirt causing internal damage and needs to be replaced. I was also told that I ran my jeep without an air cleaner for some time for it to be that dirty. WTF! In all my life I've never ran a car, motorcycle, or jet ski, without an air cleaner. I was told it would be easier to explain in person.
I went to the dealer after work to take a look. The service writer walked me to my jeep and explained that there was dirt in the engine and must've be caused by the air cleaner being off. I told him it has never been ran or started without an air cleaner. He grabbed a screwdriver to take off the tube and show me the inside of the throttle body. He loosened the two clamps and tried to take it off, as it doesn't come off easily I had to help him pull it up and off. Inside the throttle body the walls were brown and dirty. I asked the service writer if the intake was loose when they looked at it and he said no.
I asked to speak to the service manager. He was already aware of the issue with my jeep. He had called the local warranty rep and showed him the picture of the throttle body and the rep denied the repair. The service manager then called the regional zone rep who also denied the repair. The service manager said he couldn't replace the engine without Chrysler approval as it would be approximately $6500.
I asked the service manager if the Mopar air cleaner, which is under warranty and was installed by a Chrysler dealer, was defective couldn't this be the cause? He said I had a valid argument. The Mopar warranty clearly states that if a Mopar part installed by an authorized dealer causes other parts to be damage those parts are also covered. I asked to speak to the GM and the service manager said I could but the answer would be the same as the approval would have to come from Chrysler. I asked him where do I go to get approval. He gave me the number for the Chrysler customer help line. He said it may or may not help. I asked him if not then what was my next course of action, he said small claims court.
I called their customer support line spoke to a rep named Harper. I explained the problem in detail and was told a case manager would be giving me call within a business day. He verified that there was now a restriction on the repair. The next day I received an email as well as a voicemail from Gabby at Chrysler. I returned the call and left a message. I received a call back the next day. I explained the problem in detail. I told her that this was my first jeep and I was disappointed that after 20,000 miles I was having theses issues and this was the Chrysler response. I told her that it is a Jeep and is made to be driven in the dirt. I told her that I never ran it without an air cleaner as it would be like driving without a tire. She agreed and seemed genuinely interested in helping.
I informed her that I have all the receipts for oil changes, tire rotations etc, as well they were all done way ahead of the Jeep recommended intervals. I also made sure she knew that the intake was dealer installed and that I knew the Mopar warranty for a defective part covered any parts it damaged. I also politely told her I would go to the Better Business Bureau as well as small claims court to resolve this if it was denied. There was no way I should be paying for or needing an engine after 20,000 miles. She said she would do some research and get back to me by Thursday at the latest.
In case anyone is wondering I also have a K&N pre-filter over the Mopar filter. This isn't a high performance product that voids or affects your warranty, this is a California legal CARB compliant upgrade. I've cleaned the filter every time the oil is changed and after dusty trips. I also cleaned it the day before JKX and when I got back.
Be careful if you are using this intake and make an educated decision if looking to buy one in the future. I'm pretty sure having your warranty denied wouldn't normally cross prospective buyers minds when using a street legal Mopar parts but right now I'm being told my warranty is no good. I will post the response from Chrysler when I get it. I'd like to be optimistic but with my luck I might have to pay for this out of pocket and then go to small claims court to recoup the costs from Chrysler. I've posted this in the other forums I'm on as well to get the word out.
On 10-18 I went on a trip on the Mojave Trail. On the second day the engine light came on again and went into limp mode. The mileage was at 20,305 miles. We checked the oil and had to add 3-1/2 quarts. I cleared the code to get it out of limp mode and it was good for the rest of the trip. This was a big surprise as it was only about 700 miles since the previous oil change by the dealer. I made an appointment and took it back in on 11-4 and told them the problem. I received a call later that day and was told the throttle body was very dirty and the engine ingested dirt causing internal damage and needs to be replaced. I was also told that I ran my jeep without an air cleaner for some time for it to be that dirty. WTF! In all my life I've never ran a car, motorcycle, or jet ski, without an air cleaner. I was told it would be easier to explain in person.
I went to the dealer after work to take a look. The service writer walked me to my jeep and explained that there was dirt in the engine and must've be caused by the air cleaner being off. I told him it has never been ran or started without an air cleaner. He grabbed a screwdriver to take off the tube and show me the inside of the throttle body. He loosened the two clamps and tried to take it off, as it doesn't come off easily I had to help him pull it up and off. Inside the throttle body the walls were brown and dirty. I asked the service writer if the intake was loose when they looked at it and he said no.
I asked to speak to the service manager. He was already aware of the issue with my jeep. He had called the local warranty rep and showed him the picture of the throttle body and the rep denied the repair. The service manager then called the regional zone rep who also denied the repair. The service manager said he couldn't replace the engine without Chrysler approval as it would be approximately $6500.
I asked the service manager if the Mopar air cleaner, which is under warranty and was installed by a Chrysler dealer, was defective couldn't this be the cause? He said I had a valid argument. The Mopar warranty clearly states that if a Mopar part installed by an authorized dealer causes other parts to be damage those parts are also covered. I asked to speak to the GM and the service manager said I could but the answer would be the same as the approval would have to come from Chrysler. I asked him where do I go to get approval. He gave me the number for the Chrysler customer help line. He said it may or may not help. I asked him if not then what was my next course of action, he said small claims court.
I called their customer support line spoke to a rep named Harper. I explained the problem in detail and was told a case manager would be giving me call within a business day. He verified that there was now a restriction on the repair. The next day I received an email as well as a voicemail from Gabby at Chrysler. I returned the call and left a message. I received a call back the next day. I explained the problem in detail. I told her that this was my first jeep and I was disappointed that after 20,000 miles I was having theses issues and this was the Chrysler response. I told her that it is a Jeep and is made to be driven in the dirt. I told her that I never ran it without an air cleaner as it would be like driving without a tire. She agreed and seemed genuinely interested in helping.
I informed her that I have all the receipts for oil changes, tire rotations etc, as well they were all done way ahead of the Jeep recommended intervals. I also made sure she knew that the intake was dealer installed and that I knew the Mopar warranty for a defective part covered any parts it damaged. I also politely told her I would go to the Better Business Bureau as well as small claims court to resolve this if it was denied. There was no way I should be paying for or needing an engine after 20,000 miles. She said she would do some research and get back to me by Thursday at the latest.
In case anyone is wondering I also have a K&N pre-filter over the Mopar filter. This isn't a high performance product that voids or affects your warranty, this is a California legal CARB compliant upgrade. I've cleaned the filter every time the oil is changed and after dusty trips. I also cleaned it the day before JKX and when I got back.
Be careful if you are using this intake and make an educated decision if looking to buy one in the future. I'm pretty sure having your warranty denied wouldn't normally cross prospective buyers minds when using a street legal Mopar parts but right now I'm being told my warranty is no good. I will post the response from Chrysler when I get it. I'd like to be optimistic but with my luck I might have to pay for this out of pocket and then go to small claims court to recoup the costs from Chrysler. I've posted this in the other forums I'm on as well to get the word out.
11-13-2013, 09:58 AM
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I had a similar situation with my 05 Ram that I traded in for my JK. The standard response from Chrysler is tat they had to I with the local recommendation. After a couple of calls they finally agreed to cover the cost of having it towed to the another dealer. To make a long story short, new dealer called old dealer and told then to prove that a modification caused the failure. Original technician said he couldn't prove it but because he never saw that type if failure it shouldn't be covered.
New dealer took care of everything, ended up with a new axle and driveshaft under warranty and two days faster than promised. If you can get them to agree to have someone else look at it you may be in luck.
New dealer took care of everything, ended up with a new axle and driveshaft under warranty and two days faster than promised. If you can get them to agree to have someone else look at it you may be in luck.
11-13-2013, 11:33 AM
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I'm not familiar with Canadian law but I can't imagine it's much different than US law. This is one of the BS things large corporations tend to do. They know that if you take them to court, you would win. But they are taking the chance that you won't take them to court and just pay for it. Unfortunately it's not illegal to essentially make people sue to get what's rightfully theirs. They want to make it extremely inconvenient for you hoping you won't fight. I hate hearing these stories, but it's an unfortunate condition that permeates all things related to insurance. (A warranty is just a form of insurance)
Good luck getting this sorted. Often times complaining loudly on social media and Internet forums has good results.
Good luck getting this sorted. Often times complaining loudly on social media and Internet forums has good results.
11-15-2013, 04:59 PM
#5
JK Enthusiast
I'm not familiar with Canadian law but I can't imagine it's much different than US law. This is one of the BS things large corporations tend to do. They know that if you take them to court, you would win. But they are taking the chance that you won't take them to court and just pay for it. Unfortunately it's not illegal to essentially make people sue to get what's rightfully theirs. They want to make it extremely inconvenient for you hoping you won't fight. I hate hearing these stories, but it's an unfortunate condition that permeates all things related to insurance. (A warranty is just a form of insurance)
Good luck getting this sorted. Often times complaining loudly on social media and Internet forums has good results.
Good luck getting this sorted. Often times complaining loudly on social media and Internet forums has good results.
11-15-2013, 10:09 PM
#7
Forum Tech Advisor
Is the intake Mopar or Mopar Performance?
If it is Mopar Performance and it caused the failure, Chrysler won't cover it. You would check with Mopar Paerformance's warranty coverage.
So you know, you can find a used, take off 3.6L engine with low miles for about $2500 or less from someone upgrading to a V8. Motech in Las Vegas and JSS in NorCal likely has a few on pallets right now.
If it is Mopar Performance and it caused the failure, Chrysler won't cover it. You would check with Mopar Paerformance's warranty coverage.
So you know, you can find a used, take off 3.6L engine with low miles for about $2500 or less from someone upgrading to a V8. Motech in Las Vegas and JSS in NorCal likely has a few on pallets right now.
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11-15-2013, 11:46 PM
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I'm not familiar with Canadian law but I can't imagine it's much different than US law. This is one of the BS things large corporations tend to do. They know that if you take them to court, you would win. But they are taking the chance that you won't take them to court and just pay for it. Unfortunately it's not illegal to essentially make people sue to get what's rightfully theirs. They want to make it extremely inconvenient for you hoping you won't fight. I hate hearing these stories, but it's an unfortunate condition that permeates all things related to insurance. (A warranty is just a form of insurance)
Good luck getting this sorted. Often times complaining loudly on social media and Internet forums has good results.
Good luck getting this sorted. Often times complaining loudly on social media and Internet forums has good results.
Where does the Canadian law reference come from?
11-16-2013, 12:13 AM
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11-16-2013, 02:50 AM
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